Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-11-29
GOT A BOMB.
A WRLL-KNOWN DENTIST RECEIVES AN
INGENIOUS CONTINUANCE
Through the Mal-fhe Indications are That The
Bomb is Genuins-A Description OF
the Missile.

Yesterday morning DR.. Chas. E. Mason
received in the mail small pasteboard
box about two inches wide, three long and
an inch deep. 1t was wrapped in piece OF
MANILA paper and sealed. The direction
was an advertisement cut from the In
telligeneer of several years ago, and read
"Chas. E. Mason, Dentist, corner Of Mar
ket and Twelfth streets" The fact that
the name OF the city was missing showed
that the box had been mailed in this city.
The doctor, supposing it was package
connected with his business carelessly I'M
did the wrapper and lifted the lid, when he
was rather startled by what was disclosed.
In one side ofthe box was what had every
appearance of being genuine made to
order
DYNAMITE BOMB,
and it is, for all that any one has yet dis
covered. On the other side Of the box,
holding it in place, were several wallets OF
psper covered with bunch Of cotton.
Beneath this, resting securely in the bot
tom of the box, was probably quarter OF
an ounce of gunpowder Of rather coarse
grain.
The bomb itself is about two inches and
halt long and half an inch in diameter.
1t is composed of brass cylinder which
has the appearance of being regular
brass cartridge. On the exploding end OF
the machine is an ordinary small
gun cap. The opposite end has been
closed with piece Of brass which is hard
soldered. 1t is then all neatly filed
smooth, looking as if an apprentice jew.
eler might have done the job. In this end
is a short fuse, evidently made of candle
wick and saturated with oil. This is the
bomb and it has every appearance Of being
genuine article.
But the the continuance to explode 1t Is
most ingenious. In one end of the box
piece of sand paper is fastened with the
assistance of ceiling wax.
ON THE INSIDE
of the lid are fastened two matches extend
ing down diagonally almost TO the end
These are also fastened firmly with sealing
wax. They are so arranged that had the
doctor opened the box from the right end
they would have iguited by coming in
contact with the piece of sandpaper, the
result being ignition of the cotton anG
powder and explosion of the bomb, If bomt
it is. Fortunately the doctor lifted the
lid from the opposite end and the matches
were not lighted.
The continuance has all indications o.
being straight goods, and even if the bomt
is sham, there was enough powder In the
box to burn the doctor severely had II
been ignited. DR.. Mason, since coming Il
Wheeling, has received several anonymOu:
letters, in which he is referred to in
NO COMPLIMENTARY TERMS,
and advising him to leave the city. II
one of the letters well-knOwn dentists
name was mentioned as intending to rem
a room in the building with the intention
of taking DR.. Mason's business and com
pelling him to leave. The first of thes'
letters was received April 16, 1884, shortly
after he came to the city, and it was adj
dressed with an advertisement from the
REGISTER similar to the one on the box
| The postoffice authorities were notiheC
and it was very probable that if Mr.. Bomt
Sender is discovered he will find himsel
in a whole bushel of trouble, whether the
bomb is genuine or not, for the powder ant
matches are.
The Doctor seemed to take tie matter
worry cOolly and said he had previously
looked upon it as a joke, but thu
thing was going little toe far. Many
visitors went in TO see the Contriyance dur
Jog the day The bomb might be turned
over to Capt. Smith, Clerk Thompson ant
Officers Deku and Wilkic, they are exper
bomb explCders